Obtaining a Medical Marijuana Card In Colorado

Patients wishing to obtain a medical marijuana card in Colorado must first make an effort to understand the process involved. Many questions a patient has can be easily answered with a visit to the Colorado Department of Public Health website. Submitting an application is the first step in obtaining a medical marijuana registry identification card also known as a marijuana license from the Department of Public Health and this must be done by any person wishing to possess marijuana for medical use. The response time for submitting an application can vary depending on the situation and rejections will usually take four to six weeks. For a new card or a renewal card, the process can take four to five months. Changes to a card or obtaining a replacement card may take four to six months.

Any person who is in the process of applying for a Colorado medical marijuana card should be sure to keep a copy of their application documentation, including proof of the mailing date or other transmission of delivery to the state with them at all times. In the event that a person is questioned by a law official for possessing cannabis, this documentation may be presented as proof that the person is in the process of applying for a card. This will be given the same legal effect as a MMJ registry card until the patient receives notice that an application has been approved or denied.

Applicants should also keep in mind that it is necessary to send in an application for renewal of a Colorado medical marijuana card no sooner than 60 days before the expiration date on their card. Therefore patients should seek out a medical marijuana doctor practicing in Colorado in advance. Any applications that are received prior to this date will be considered a duplicate application and the state will require an additional $15.00 fee when renewing within the accepted time frame.

When a MMJ patient is sending a payment in to the medical marijuana registry, the payment must be dated within the prior twelve months of the date of the application submission. Any payments that are sent that do not fit this requirement will cause an application to be returned for a new payment. All payments made to the medical marijuana registry are non-refundable and are deposited within two weeks of the application submission. Patients will have 60 days to fully correct and return any rejected applications from the date of the application rejection. If an application is returned after the given 60 day window, an additional payment of $15.00 will be required. Paying close attention to these guidelines will save the patient a lot of time and extra money spent trying to correct issues later.

When considering the subject of indigence regarding a Colorado medical marijuana card, applicants may show supplemental social security (SSI) or food stamps as proof of indigent status. However, the state will not consider Medicaid, Medicare, SSDI or any other program besides SSI or food stamps. The state will require those with SSI status to submit a copy of the SSI award complete on SSI letterhead. Those with food stamps will be required to submit a copy of their food stamp eligibility determination letter. Following these guidelines closely from beginning to end will ensure that the process of applying for a medical marijuana license in Colorado will be a smooth and easy process.

Medical Marijuana License Registration

There is an initial application process coupled with a physician certification that must be completed before the application can be sent in. Only a MD or DO licensed to practice medicine in the state of Colorado can sign this form for you. Colorado Medical Marijuana LLC physicians are all qualified to recommend patients for this application process. The registry must receive your completed application within 60 days of the physician’s signature.

Contact Colorado Medical Marijuana for the specific documents required to complete a medical marijuana card application, our friendly staff will inform you of what you need to bring in to expedite the process.

During the waiting process after your application has been submitted, state law says:

“Where the state health agency, within thirty-five days of receipt of an application, fails to issue a registry identification card or fails to issue verbal or written notice of denial of such application, the patient’s application for such card will be deemed to have been approved.”

“ A patient who is questioned by any state or local law enforcement official about his or her medical use of marijuana shall provide a copy of the application submitted to the state health agency, including the written documentation and proof of the date of mailing or other transmission of the written documentation for delivery to the state health agency, which shall be accorded the same legal effect as a registry card, until such time as the patient receives notice that the application has been denied.”

To summarize the above: The evidence of your documentation application and the date it was made can be used as a registry card until your official card arrives or until you receive notice that your application has been denied.

What It Means To Have a Medical Marijuana Card

Legal Protection- Carrying a Medical Marijuana Card affords you legal protection under the state’s medical marijuana laws. Even if you are using cannabis as a legitimate treatment of pain or illness, you are still breaking the law if you do not have a medical marijuana license from the registry.

Access to Effective Medicine- Marijuana has been proven to slow the effects of Glaucoma, alleviate pain in cancer patients, combat the effects of pain in the central nervous system, and remedy some of the aches and pains associated with arthritis. Having a marijuana license affords you rights to these alternative medicines that are increasingly proven to be effective for various treatments.